Kia pushing hard for Sportage hybrid models

Kia Australia says it is confident of securing an allocation of both Sportage PHEV and Sportage Hybrid models over the coming months.

Following in the wheel tracks of the larger Kia Sorento PHEV and the forthcoming Sorento Hybrid due in showrooms from February, Kia Australia general manager of product, Roland Rivero, said he was negotiating with head office to secure both electrified variants of the award-winning, fifth-generation Kia Sportage.

“We’ve made it very clear to headquarters that we’d like both models in Australia,” he said.

“What we’re working on with them at the moment is negotiating some numbers to roll off the Guangzhou factory for us – those numbers are still being worked on.

“We haven’t got a definitive answer on Sportage hybrid or plug-in hybrid as yet. The moment we do we will be announcing something. Our desire is to get it – no-one is oblivious to the success the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has had.”

Kia says its larger Sorento PHEV has been a success since hitting showrooms in October, as evidenced by the fact that every model that lands is quickly sold.

The forthcoming Sorento Hybrid is likewise expected to resonate strongly with private and fleet buyers alike, and Kia officials are hopeful of slightly stronger incoming stock levels.

“I think we’ll get a little more than PHEV – we’re hopeful of 20 to 30 sales a month,” said Rivero. “The PHEV is a big seller in Europe, so we can only get small quantities in Australia.”

Kia’s hybrid rollout comes against a backdrop of persistent stock shortage in 2021. Kia Australia boss Damien Meredith wasn’t exactly brimming with optimism about the 2022 stock forecast this week, conceding it will likely be more of the same.

“Supply will be similar over the next 12 months as what it’s been to the preceding 12 months. I don’t think it’s going to change that much,” he told carsales.

“There’s still going to be a fair bit of angst in regards to supply over the next 12 months.

“Chip shortage is still the main issue but the supply chains have been broken. It’s very hard to explain how this has occurred. I can’t see it improving dramatically over the next 12 months.”

At the same time, Rivero ruled out the recently-revealed Sportage ProX for Australia, saying the current Sportage range was “more than enough” given the current supply environment.

“Sportage stock is very limited,” he said. “Already dealers are starting to run out of their first batch and are beginning to quote end of February, early March for their next shipment.”